Reclining chair of the double movement type



F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,061,366

RECLINING CHAIR OF THE DOUBLE MOVEMENT TYPE Ogt. 30, 1962 INVENTOR.FIQ/DK/OF F. JCbL/EPH/ICKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 28, 1958 30, 1962F. F. SCHLIEPHACKE 3,061,356

RECLINING CHAIR OF THE DOUBLE MOVEMENT TYPE Filed Oct. 28, 1958 3Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3.

INVENTOR. FIQ IDTJOF F: 5 CH4 lEPf/ACKE A TI' k IYJ Oct. 30, 1962 F. F.SCHLIEPHACKE 3,061,366

RECLINING CHAIR OF THE DOUBLE MOVEMENT TYPE Filed Oct. 28, 1958 sSheets-Sheet s A2 INVENTORQ AQ/DTJOF E sow l'P/M (K5 JTTORNGXS UnitedStates, Patent ()filice 3,961,366 Patented Oct. 30, 1962 3,061,366RECLINHNG CHAIR OF THE DGUBLE I MOVEMENT TYPE Frzdtwf F. Sehliephaclre,Berlin-Schmargendorf, Germany, assignor to Anton Lorenz, Idoynton Beach,Fla. Filed Oct. 28, B358, fier. No. 770,672 9 Ciaims. ill. 297-88) Thepresent invention relates generally to reclining chairs of the typeincluding a seat, back-rest and leg-rest mounted on a support forcoordinated movement, and in particular to an improved seat and leg-restcontrol arrangement for a reclining chair of the double movement type inwhich the seat and leg-rest are coordinated to and controlled by themovement of the back-rest.

The usual reclining chair comprises a support, a bodysupporting unitincluding a back-rest and seat movably or rockably mounted on thesupport for reclining and inclining movement respectively, and aleg-rest appropriately coordinated to the body-supporting unit formovement into an elevated leg-supporting position as a function of andin response to the reclining movement of the body-supporting unit.

A recent development in reclining chairs has been the so-called doublemovement type of chair which has been designed to provide asemi-reclined or intermediate tilted position for the chair occupantsuitable for reading, television viewing and the like, and a number ofcomplete relaxation positions in which the chair occupant isaccommodated with the prescribed angular relationship establishedbetween the various components of the chair to support the body in areclining position appropriate for total or complete relaxation. Duringthe first movement phase into the intermediate tilted or semi-reclinedposition, the angular relationship between the seat and backrest remainssubstantially fixed, with the leg-rest being elevated to aleg-supporting position forwardly of the seat; and during the secondmovement phase, the leg-rest remains in its elevated leg-supportingposition and the included angle between the seat and back-rest opens upto establish the various complete relaxation positions.

Broadly it is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedcontrol arrangement for a reclining chair of the aforesaid type.Specifically, it is within the contemplation of the present invention toprovide an improved control arrangement for a reclining chair of thedouble movement type wherein the seat is inclined and the leg-rest iselevated as a function of the reclining movement of the back-rest.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstration features andadvantages of the present invention, there is provided a reclining chaircomprising a support, a back-rest and seat movably mounted on thesupport for reclining and inclining movement respectively through afirst motion phase from a sitting position to an intermediate tiltedposition and through a second motion phase from an intermediate tiltedposition to a reclining position, and control means for inclining theseat in response to the reclining movement. The control means includes aseat control member pivotally connected to the seat, means including afirst pivot on the support mounting the seat control member for turningmovement about the first pivot during the first motion phase and fordisplacement relative to the first pivot during the second motion phase,a second pivot on the support, and means on the seat control member andengaging the second pivot in response to reclining movement to establishthe end of the first motion phase and providing another pivot for theseat control member during the second motion phase. A leg-rest ismounted for movement from the stored position beneath the forward end ofthe seat to an elevated leg-supporting position forwardly of the seat,and a leg-rest control is operatively connected to the leg-rest forelevating the leg-rest during the first motion phase.

The above brief description, as well as other objects, features andadvantages of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated byreference to the following detailed description of several presentlypreferred embodiments, when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational View, with parts broken away and sectioned, ofan improved reclining chair of the double movement type embodyingfeatures of the present invention, the chair being shown in its uprightor sitting position;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the chair in theintermediate tilted or semi-reclined position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the chair in the fullyreclined position;

FIG. 4 is a schematic elevational view, with parts broken away andsectioned, of a further reclining chair of the double movement typeembodying features of the present invention, the chair being shown inthe upright or sitting position;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but with the chair shown in theintermediate tilted or semi-reclined position; and,

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the chair in the fullyreclined position.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, there is showna first embodiment of reclining chair of the double movement typeconstructed in accordance with the present invention, and generallydesignated by the reference numeral 10. The chair includes a chair frameor a support 12 including opposite side walls 14, 16 interconnected byappropriate cross-braces and supported generally above the level of thefloor on depending legs, such as 18.

Movably mounted on the chair support or frame is a body-supporting meansor unit which includes a backrest 20 and a seat 22 mounted for recliningand inclining movement respectively. The back-rest 2% is mounted forreclining movement at a back-rest pivot 24 on its lower end which isjournaled on the chair frame 12 intermediate the opposite side walls 14,16 while the seat 22 is mounted for inclining movement at a seat pivot26 on the backrest which seat pivot is spaced above the back-rest pivot24. The seat pivot 24 is provided on rearwardly directed rigid hangerarms 28 fixed to the seat, with the seat 22 being drawn rearwardly andtilted slightly in response to reclining movement of the back-rest 2t).

Disposed beneath the forward end of the seat 22 is a leg-rest 30 whichis mounted for movement from a stored or retracted position, as shown inFIG. 1, to various elevated leg-supporting positions as shownprogressively in FIGS. 2 and 3. In this embodiment the leg-rest 30 ismounted directly on the forward end of the seat by a leg-rest hanger arm32 which is rigidly connected to the leg-rest 30, for example by therivets 34, and has a pivotal connection 36 at its upper end to the seat22. Although the leg-rest 30 is pivotally mounted directly on the seatby a single arm or link it will be appreciated that generally knownlinkage arrangements may be employed for suspending the leg-rest beneaththe seat for elevating movement as a function of and in response to thechair movement.

In accordance with the present invention, a control linkage orarrangement, generally designated by the reference numeral 38, isoperatively Connected to the 1eg-rest 30 and controlled from theback-rest 20 for imparting a prescribed inclination to the seat 22 andfor elevating the leg-rest 30 in the required timed relationship toestablish the double movement mode of operation. The control arrangement38 includes a seat control member 40 which is in the form of a singlecontrol plate having a pivotal connection 42 to the seat 22 via thedepending bracket 43 fixed to the seat. Spaced apart first and secondpivotal mounts 44, 46 are provided on the support at side by sidelocations, with the first pivotal mount or pivot 44 being fixed on afixture or bracket 48 secured to the support, and with the secondpivotal mount or pivot 46 being fixed on a fixture or bracket 50 securedto the support. Means are provided for mounting the seat control member40 for turning movement about the first pivotal mount 44 during thefirst motion phase of the chair and for displacement relative to the,first pivot during the second motion phase and for further mounting theseat control member 40 for turning movement about the second pivotalmount 46 during the second motion phase. In this illustrativeembodiment, the seat control member 4 3 is provided with a firstintegral guide member 52 formed with a guideway 54 and a second integralguide member 56 formed with a guideway 58. The guideway 54 includesterminal or seating portions 54a, 54b serving as respective bearings forthe second pivotal mount 46 with the guideway having a curvature on aradius about the first pivotal mount 44. The guideway 58 includesterminal or seating portions 53a, 58!) serving as respective bearingsfor the pivotal mount 44, with the guideway 53 having a curvature on aradius about the second pivotal mount 46. Stated somewhat difierently,the curvature of the respective guideways 54, 58 is on a radius equal tothe spacing between the respective pivotal mounts 44, 46. During thefirst motion phase of the chair movement, the seat control member 40turns on the first pivotal mount 44 which is seated within the terminalor seating portion 58a of the guideway 58, with the guide member 52 andguideway 54 being translated or displaced through a downward lost motiontravel relative to the second pivot or mount 46. During the secondmotion phase, the second pivotal mount 46 is seated at the terminal orseating portion 54b of the guideway 54 which mounts the seat controlmember 40 for turning movement about the pivotal mount 46 as arelatively stationary pivot, with the guide member 56 and guideway 58being displaced or translated through an upward lost motion travelrelative to the first pivotal mount 44. The seat control function duringthe first phase of the reclining movement is determined by the spacingbetween the terminal or seating portion 58a of the guideway 58 and thepivotal connection 42 to the seat since the first pivotal mount 44 iseffectively pivoted at said terminal portion. In a sense, the portion ofthe seat control member 40 intermediate the pivots 42, 44 during thefirst motion phase may be considered to be a simple link of a lengthequal to the spacing between the pivots 42, 44. The seat controlfunction during the second motion phase is determined by the spacingbetween the pivotal connection 42 to the seat and the terminal orseating portion 54b of the guideway 54 of the guide member 52 whichserves as a relatively fixed journal or bearing for the second pivotalmount 46 during the second phase of the chair movement. In a sense, theportion of the seat control member 40 intermediate the pivots 42, 46during the second motion phase may be considered to be a seat controllink of a length equal to the spacing between the pivots 42, 46.

Provision is made for elevating the leg-rest during the first phase ofthe chair movement and in response to the reclining movement of theback-rest 20 in the form of a leg-rest control or connecting link 60which has its rearward end pivotally mounted on the support and has itsforward end operatively connected to the leg-rest. In the specific formillustrated, the leg-rest control or connecting link '60 is pivotallymounted on the support at the pivotal mount 46 and has a pivotalconnection 62 at its forward end to the leg-rest hanger arm 32 at alocation spaced below the pivotal connection 36 to the seat 22.

A typical sequence of operations will now be described,

making progressive reference to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings to facilitatea more thorough understanding of the present invention:

When the chair occupant is seated in the chair in the upright or sittingposition illustrated in FIG. 1 and wishes to move the chair to thesemi-reclined or intermediate tilted position, the occupant pressesagainst the backrest 20 causing the back-rest 20 to pivot rearwardlyabout the back-rest pivot 24. The rearward pivotal or reclining movementof the back-rest 20 pulls the seat 22 rearwardly which in turn causesthe pivotal connection 42 to the seat control member 40 to move throughan upward and rearward are, turning the seat control member 40 about thepivotal mount 44. The portion of the seat control member 40 intermediatethe pivots 42, 44 imparts a first inclination to the seat appropriate tomaintain a substantially fixed angular relationship between the backrest29 and the seat 22. The rearward displacement of the seat 22 under thecontrol of the back-rest 20 is further effective to cause the pivotalconnection 36 to the legrest hanger arm 32 to move rearwardly relativeto the pivotal connection 62 thus moving the leg-rest into an elevatedleg-supporting position relative to the seat 22. As the seat controlmember 46 turns about the pivotal mount 44, the guide member 52translates relative to the pivotal mount 46 until such time as the upperterminal portion 54b of the guideway 54 comes into contact with thepivotal mount 46 thereby effectively blocking further turning movementof the control member 40 about the pivotal mount 44. When the pivotalmount 46 is engaged by the terminal portion 54b of the guideway 54, theend of the first motion phase of the chair is established, with theback-rest 20 and seat 22 rocked rearwardly into an intermediate tiltedor semi-reclined position, with the legrest elevated as shown in FIG. 2.

Upon further pressure against the back-rest by the chair occupant thesecond phase of the chair movement is initiated, with the seat controlmember 40 turning about the pivotal mount 46 journaled at the upperterminal portion 54b of the guideway 54. During the second phase of thereclining movement the portion of the seat control member 40intermediate the pivots 42, 46 serves to achieve the seat controlfunction, with the pivotal mount 44 translating along the guideway 58until such time as the lower terminal portion 58b comes into contactwith the pivotal mount 44 establishing the end of the second motionphase of chair movement, with the seat, back-rest and leg-rest in therequired relationship to establish the fully reclined position for thechair, as shown in FIG. 3. During the second motion phase the leg-rest30 moves substantially as a unit with the seat, with the seat control orconnecting link 60 turning about the pivotal mount 46, as may be seen byprogressively inspecting FIGS. 2 and 3. When the chair occupant desiresto assume either the intermediate tilted position or the sittingposition, the chair occupant leans forward and exerts his weight againstthe leg-rest 30 which brings the chair first to the intermediate tiltedposition of FIG. 2 and then ultimately to the sitting position of FIG.1.

In FIGS. 4-6 inclusive there is diagrammatically illustrated a furtherembodiment of reclining chair in accordance with the present inventionwherein the integral guide member 52 and guideway 54 on the seat controlmember, such as provided for the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, has beeneliminated, with only one guide member and guideway providing theguiding action during one of the phases of the reclining movement. Inview of the similarity between the chair illustrated in this embodimentand the chair illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 inclusive,corresponding reference numerals have been used as part of a series.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 4-6 of the drawings, there is showna further embodiment of reclining chair of the double movement typeconstructed in accordance with the present invention, and generallydesignated by the reference numeral 110. The chair includes a frame or asupport 112 essentially of the structure previously described.

Movably mounted on the chair support or frame is a body-supporting meansor unit which includes a backrest 120 and a seat 122 mounted forreclining and inclining movement respectively. The back-rest 120 ismounted for reclining movement at a back-rest pivot 124 at its lower endwhich is journaled on the chair frame, while the seat 122 is mounted forinclining movement at a seat pivot 126 on the back-rest by rearwardlydirected rigid hangers 128.

Disposed beneath the forward end of the seat 122 is a leg-rest 130 whichis mounted for movement from a stored or retracted position as shown inFIG. 4 to various elevated leg-supporting positions, as shownprogressively in FIGS. 5 and 6. In this embodiment the leg-rest 130 ismounted directly on the forward end of the seat by a leg-rest hanger arm132 which is rigidly connected to the leg-rest 130, by the rivets 134and has a pivotal connection 136 at its upper end to the seat 122.

In accordance with the present invention, a control arrangement,generally designated by the reference numeral 138, is operativelyconnected to the leg-rest 130 and controlled from the back-rest 120 forimparting a prescribed inclination to the seat 122 and for elevating theleg-rest 130 in the required relationship to establish the doublemovement mode of operation. The control arrangement 138 includes a seatcontrol member 140 in the form of a single control plate which has apivotal connection 142 to the seat via the depending bracket 143 fixedto the seat 122. Spaced apart first and second pivotal mounts 144, 146are provided on the support at side by side locations, with the firstpivotal mount or pivot 144 being supported on a fixture or bracket 148and with the second pivotal mount or pivot 146 being supported on amounting fixture or bracket 150. Means are provided for mounting theseat control member 140 for turning movement about the first pivotalmount 144 during the first motion phase of the chair, and for furthermounting the seat control member 140 for turning movement about thesecond pivotal mount 146 during the second motion phase. In thisembodiment the seat control member 140 is provided with an integralbearing member 152 formed with a seating notch 154 and an integral guidemember 156 formed with a guideway 158. The guideway 158 includesterminal portions 158a, 1581) serving as respective bearings or seatsfor the pivotal mount 144, with a guideway 158 having a curvature on aradius about the second pivotal mount 146. During the first motion phaseof the chair movement, the seat control member 140 turns on the firstpivot or mount 144 which is seated within the terminal or bearingportion 158a of the guideway 158, with the bearing member 152 andseating notch 154 being translated or displaced through an are about thefirst pivot 144 and toward the second pivot or mount 146. During thesecond motion phase, the second pivotal mount 146 is disposed in theseating notch 154 of the bearing member 152 which mounts the seatcontrol member 140 for turning movement about the pivotal mount 146,with the guide member 156 and guideway 158 being displaced through anarcuate lost motion travel relative to the first pivotal mount 144. Theseat control function during the first phase of the reclining movementis determined by the s acing between the terminal or seating portion158a of the guideway 158 and the pivotal connection 142 to the seatsince the first pivotal mount 144 is elfectively pivoted at saidterminal portion. In a sense, the portion of the seat control member 140intermediate the pivots 142, 144 during the first motion phase may beconsidered to be a simple link of a length equal to the spacing betweenthe pivots 142, 144. The seat control function during the second motionphase is determined by the spacing between the pivotal connection 142 tothe seat and the seating notch 154 of the bearing member 152 serving asa journal or bearing for the second pivotal mount 146 during the secondphase of the chair movement. In a sense, the portion of the seat controlmember intermediate the pivots 142, 146 during the second motion phasemay be considered to be a seat control link of a length equal to thespacing between the pivots 142, 146.

Provision is made for elevating the leg-rest duringthe first phase ofthe chair movement and in response to the reclining movement of theback-rest 126 which takes the form of a leg-rest control or connectinglink 160 pivotally mounted on the support at the pivotal mount 146 andhaving a pivotal connection 162 at its forward end to the leg-resthanger arm 132 at a location spaced below the pivotal connection 136 tothe seat 122.

In lieu of employing a guide member and guideway as illustrated in thisembodiment, such guide member and guideway may be replaced with abearing member and seating notch comparable to the elements 152, 154.However, as a practical matter it is found to be more feasible toconstruct the linkage with at least one guide member and guideway, whichguide member and guideway may be provided for either of the stationarypivots which successively mount the control member for turning movementduring the first and second phases of the chair movement.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that there is provided hereinan exceptionally simple, yet effective, control arrangement forobtaining double movement in a reclining chair of the type including amovable back-rest, seat and leg-rest, with the leg-rest being elevatedduring a first phase of reclining movement and with substantially nochange in the angular relationship between the seat and back-rest, andwith the leg-rest remaining elevated during the second phase of thereclining movement with an increase or opening up of the angle betweenthe seat and back-rest.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in theforegoing disclosure and in some instances some features of theinvention will be employed without a corresponding use of otherfeatures. Accordingly it is appropriate that the appended claims beconstrued broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scopeof the invention herein.

What is claimed is:

1. A reclining chair comprising a support, a back-rest and seat movablymounted on said support for reclining and inclining movementrespectively through a first motion phase from a sitting position to anintermediate tilted position and through a second motion phase from saidintermediate tilted position to a reclining position, a legrest, meansmounting said leg-rest for movement from a stored position beneath theforward end of said seat to an elevated leg-supporting position, andcontrol means for inclining said seat and elevating said leg-rest inresponse to said reclining movement, said control means including a seatcontrol member pivotally connected to said seat, a first pivotal mounton said support, means mounting said seat control member for turningmovement about said first pivotal mount during said first motion phaseand for displacement relative to said first pivot during said secondmotion phase, a second pivotal .mount on said support, means on saidseat control member and en aging said second pivotal mount in responseto said reclining movement to establish the end of said first motionphase and mounting said seat control member for turning movement duringsaid second motion phase, and a leg-rest control link operativelyconnected to said leg-rest and pivotally mounted at said second pivotalmount.

2. A reclining chair comprising a support, a back-rest and seat movablymounted on said support for reclining and inclining movementrespectively through a first motion phase from a sitting position to anintermediate posi tion and through a second motion phase from saidinter- U mediateposition to a reclining position, a leg-rest, meanspivotally mounting said leg-rest on said seat for movement to anelevated leg-supporting position, and control means for inclining saidseat and elevating said leg-rest in response to said reclining movement,said control means including a seat control member pivotally connectedto said seat, means including a first pivot on said support mountingsaid seat control member for turning movement about said first pivotduring said first motion phase and for displacement relative to saidfirst pivot during said second motion phase, a second pivot on saidsupport, means on said seat control member and engaging said secondpivot in response to said reclining movement to establish the end ofsaid first motion phase and providing a pivotal mount for said seatcontrol member during said second motion phase, and a leg-rest controllink pivotally connected to said leg-rest and pivotally mounted on saidsupport at said second pivot.

3. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting meansnormally disposed in a sitting position and including a seat andback-rest mounted on said support for inclining and reclining movementrespectively, a legest disposed in a stored position beneath said seatand mounted for elevating movement, and a control linkage for incliningsaid seat and for elevating said leg-rest, said control linkageincluding a control member, means pivotally connecting said controlmember to said seat, means mounting said control member on said supportfor turning movement about two spaced apart pivots and for translationrelative to said two pivots, said control member being mounted forturning movement about one of said pivots when in said sitting position,said control member being turned on said one pivot in response to saidfirst portion of said reclining movement to impart a prescribedinclination to said seat and to move said legrest into saidleg-supporting position, said control member being turned on the otherpivot in response to a further portion of said reclining movement toimpart a further prescribed inclination to said seat and to translatesaid leg-rest as a unit with said seat.

4. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting meansincluding a back-rest and seat, a leg-rest, means movably mounting saidbody-supporting means on said support for reclining and incliningmovement of said back-rest and seat respectively from a sitting positionto a reclining position during which said back-rest is angularlydisplaced relative to said seat, means movably mounting said leg-restfor movement from a stored position beneath said seat to an elevatedleg-supporting position in front of said seat during a first portion ofsaid reclining movement and for appreciably no movement relative to saidseat during a further portion of said reclining movement, and controlmeans including first and second spaced apart pivots on said support, acontrol member, means pivotally connecting said control member to saidseat, means mounting said control member to turn about said first pivotduring said first portion of said reclining movement to incline saidseat and to elevate said leg-rest, and means mounting said controlmember to turn about said second pivot during said further portion ofsaid reclining movement to incline said seat with said leg-rest beingmoved substantially as a unit with said seat.

5. A reclining chair comprising a support, body-supporting meansincluding a back-rest and seat, a leg-rest, means movably mounting saidbody-supporting means on said support for reclining and incliningmovement of said back-rest and seat respectively from a sitting positionto a reclining position during which said back-rest is angularlydisplaced relative to said seat, means movably mounting said leg-restfor movement from a stored position beneath said seat to an elevatedleg-supporting position in front of said seat during a first portion ofsaid reclining movement and for appreciably no movement relative to saidseat during a further portion of said reclining movement, and controlmeans including first and second spaced apart pivots on said support, acontrol member, means pivotally connecting said control member to saidseat, and means mounting said control member to turn about said firstpivot during said first portion of said reclining movement to inclinesaid seat and to turn about said second pivot during said furtherportion of said reclining movement to further incline said seat, saidmounting means including at least one guideway having a curvature on aradius about one pivot and guidingly engaging the other pivot.

6. A reclining chair comprising a support, a back-rest mounted on saidsupport for reclining movement about a back-rest pivot, a seat mountedon said back-rest at a seat pivot for inclining movement, said seatpivot being spaced above said back-rest pivot with the portion of saidback-rest therebetween providing a rear guiding link, said seat andback-rest being adapted to move through a first motion phase from asitting position to an intermediate tilted position with substantiallyno change in the angular relationship between said'back-rest and seatand through a second motion phase from said intermediate tilted positionto a reclining position with an increase in the angular relationshipbetween said back-rest and seat, seat control means for inclining saidseat during said first and second motion phases in response to saidreclining movement, said seat control means including a seat controlmember having a pivotal connection to said seat, means including a firstpivot on said support spaced from said pivotal connection and mountingsaid seat control member for turning movement about said first pivotduring said first motion phase, said seat control member intermediatesaid pivotal connection and said first pivot providing a first frontguiding link during said first motion phase, a second pivot on saidsupport spaced from said pivotal connection and said first pivot, andmeans on said seat control member enaging said second pivot in responseto said reclining movetent at the end of said first motion phase, saidseat control member intermediate said pivotal connection and said secondpivot providing a second front guiding link during said second motionphase.

7. A reclining chair comprising a support, a back-rest mounted on saidsupport for reclining movement about a back-rest pivot, a seat mountedon said back-rest at a seat pivot for inclining movement, said seatpivot being spaced above said back-rest pivot with the portion of saidback-rest therebetween providing a rear guiding link, said seat andback-rest being adapted to move through a first motion phase from asitting position to an intermediate tilted position with substantiallyno change in the angular relationship between said back-rest and seatand through a second motion phase from said intermediate tilted positionto a reclining position with an increase in the angular relationshipbetween said back-rest and seat, seat control means for inclining saidseat during said first and second motion phases in response to saidreclining movement, said seat control means including a seat controlmember having a pivotal connection to said seat, means including a firstpivot on said support spaced from said pivotal connection and mountingsaid seat control member for turning movement about said first pivotduring said first motion phase, said seat control member intermediatesaid pivotal connection and said first pivot providing a first frontguiding link during said first motion phase, a second pivot on saidsupport spaced from said pivotal connection and said first pivot, andmeans on said seat control member engaging said second pivot in responseto said reclining movement at the end of said first motion phase, saidseat control member intermediate said pivotal connection and said secondpivot providing a second front guiding link during said second motionphase, said second seat control link being longer in length than saidfirst seat control link and arranged such that the inclining movement ofsaid seat during said second mo- .tion phase is at a rate in relation tothe reclining movement of said back-rest to increase the angularrelationship between said back-rest and said seat.

8. A reclining chair comprising a support, a backrest and seat movablymounted on said support for reclining and inclining movementrespectively through a first m tion phase from a sitting position to anintermediate tilted position and through a second motion phase from saidintermediate tilted position to a reclining position, seat control meansfor inclining said seat in response to said reclining movement includinga seat control member having a pivotal connection to said seat, meansincluding a first pivot on said support spaced from said pivotalconnection and mounting said seat control member for turning movementabout said first pivot during said first motion phase and fordisplacement relative to Said first pivot during said second motionphase, said seat control member intermediate said pivotal connection andsaid first pivot providing a first seat control link during said firstmotion phase, a second pivot on said support spaced from said pivotalconnection and said first pivot, and means on said seat control memberand engaging said second pivot in response to said reclining movement atthe end of said first motion phase, said seat control memberintermediate said pivotal connection and said second pivot providing asecond seat control link during said second motion phase.

9. A reclining chair comprising a support, a back-rest and seat movablymounted on said support for reclining and inclining movementrespectively through a first motion phase from a sitting position to anintermediate tilted position and through a second motion phase from saidintermediate tilted position to a reclining position, a leg-rest, meansmounting said leg-rest for movement from a stored position beneath theforward end of said seat to an elevated leg-supporting position, seatcontrol means for inclining said seat in response to said recliningmovement, said seat control means including a seat control member havinga pivotal connection to said seat, means including a first pivot on saidsupport spaced from said pivotal connection and mounting said seatcontrol member for turning movement about said first pivot during saidfirst motion phase and for displacement relative to said first pivotduring said second motion phase, said seat control member intermediatesaid pivot-a1 connection and said first pivot providing a first seatcontrol link during said first motion phase, a second pivot on saidsupport spaced from said pivotal connection and said first pivot, andmeans on said seat control member engaging said second pivot in responseto said reclining movement at the end of said first motion phase, saidseat control member intermediate said pivotal connection and said secondpivot providing a second seat control link during said second motionphase and a leg-rest control means operatively connected to saidleg-rest and controlled from said back-rest for elevating said leg-restin response to said reclining movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,615,497 Luckhardt Oct. 28, 1952 2,746,520 Ducrot May 22, 1956 FOREIGNPATENTS 768,897 Great Britain Feb. 20, 1957

